Introduction
This report provides information carried out through research on key aspects of legislations, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to the role and responsibilities of the teacher. Furthermore it will highlight the boundaries between the teaching role and other professional roles. It will also touch on points of referral to meet the needs of your learner.
Key legislations, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to the role and responsibilities of the teacher.
As with any kind of working environment, “teachers also must work within the boundaries of the law and professional values” (Linda Wilson 2014, p, 29).
As teachers we have to work within 4 main rules.
To act in accordance with legal requirements.
To comply with the regulatory code, ethics and values and to teach with integrity in mind. Making sure to be safe and to support all learners in achieving their objectives.
Also to provide a structure for maintaining appropriate behaviours and respect amongst everyone (Linda Wilson 2014).
It is imperative for a teacher to understand and follow key aspects of different legislations and their regulatory requirements that apply to teaching sector. Teachers also have to adhere to strict codes of practice which are defined by the government, institute for learning and the organisation.
The Difference between Legislative requirement and codes of practice:
Legislative requirement is a duty to act according to the law as defined in an Act of Parliament and it is enforceable through the courts.
The following bellow are examples of legislations that apply to teachers:
Legislations
Key Aspects
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
An Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work.
Equality Act 2010.
This Act protects everyone against unfair treatment. This Act covers 9 main characteristics which cannot be used as a reason to treat people unfairly.
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion
Sex
Sexual orientation
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
This Act covers discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of education, employment, provision of goods and services etc.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005 (DDA).
The legislation requires public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Data Protection Act 1998.
A law designed to protect personal data stored on computers or in an organised paper filing system
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (The Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003).
Copyright gives the creators of some types of media rights to control how they're used and distributed. Music, books, video and software can all be covered by copyright law
Code of Practice: A set of rules outlining how a person in a particular profession or situation is expected to behave.
Statutory code of practice: A Code of Practice approved by Parliament and admissible as evidence in any legal action.
Code of professional practice came into force on 1 April 2008 by the Institute for Learning (IFL) The code was developed by the profession for the profession and outlines the behaviours expected of teachers – for the benefit of learners, employers, the profession and the wider community. This act is formally known as IFL Code of Practice for Teachers (2008).
There are 9 key behaviours that have to be practiced by teachers in their day to day running.
Integrity
Respect
Care
Practice
Disclosure
Responsibility.
Furthermore within the codes of practice, teachers have to adhere to safer practice and safer
